Monday, December 14, 2009

Haverford President To Keynote Philadelphia Conference

Steve Emerson, President of Haverford College, will be the luncheon speaker at ICG’s conference at Westtown School on Thursday, January 28. Dr. Emerson will discuss new directions at Haverford as part of a broader re-assessment of undergraduate education and the high-school-to-college transition.

Steve Emerson, President of Haverford College, will be the luncheon speaker at ICG’s Re-Imagining High School Conference at Westtown School on Thursday, January 28. Dr. Emerson will discuss new directions at Haverford as part of a broader re-assessment of undergraduate education and the high-school-to-college transition.

ICG is also delighted to welcome Heather Hoerle, Vice President for Member Relations of the National Association of Independent Schools, who will examine the ideas and trends that are shaping the nation’s best schools.  K-12 education is on the cusp of exciting change, and Heather will share a big-picture perspective on where we are, and where we’re headed.

For the most up-to-date information on the program at Westtown, visit our Philadelphia conference page.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Podcast of UC Presentation on Admissions Now Available

Two podcasts from ICG’s conference on October 24 at the Urban School of San Francisco are available on Urban’s web site. Don Daves-Rougeaux, of the University of California’s Office of the President, and Miya Hayes, Assistant Director for School/University Partnerships at UC-Berkeley, discuss UC admissions procedures and how schools can work with the university when developing new advanced courses.

Two podcasts from ICG’s conference on October 24 at the Urban School of San Francisco are available on Urban’s web site. Don Daves-Rougeaux, of the University of California’s Office of the President, and Miya Hayes, Assistant Director for School/University Partnerships at UC-Berkeley, discuss UC admissions procedures and how schools can work with the university when developing new advanced courses. Don and Miya suggest that many issues arise from the manner in which courses are submitted rather than due to problems intrinsic to the courses. Also, Solomon Enos of Stanford University, Susan Lee of the Urban School, and Laura Ross of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School discuss “College Counseling Without AP”.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Boston Conference Features Educators From Independent, Public Schools

Beaver Country Day School hosted about 40 educators at ICG’s Re-Imagining High School conference in Boston on Tuesday, October 27.  Sessions included “Real World as Classroom,” “How Schools Build Innovative Curriculum,” and “Re-Imagining the Senior Year: Projects and Capstone Experiences.”  In addition to participants from independent schools, the program included leading educators from area public schools such as Community Charter School of Cambridge, Fenway High School, and Francis Parker Charter Essential School. 

Beaver Country Day School hosted about 40 educators at ICG’s Re-Imagining High School conference in Boston on Tuesday, October 27.  Sessions included “Real World as Classroom,” “How Schools Build Innovative Curriculum,” and “Re-Imagining the Senior Year: Projects and Capstone Experiences.”  In addition to participants from independent schools, the program included leading educators from area public schools such as Community Charter School of Cambridge, Fenway High School, and Francis Parker Charter Essential School.  To see a copy of the conference program or participate in follow-up discussions, go to our conference forums.

SF Conference Focuses on Curriculum, UC Admissions

Over 120 educators attended ICG’s Re-Imagining High School conference at the Urban School of San Francisco on Saturday, October 24.  Most of the program featured discussion of new directions in advanced curriculum for students in grades 11 and 12. Approximately half of the conference was devoted to sessions focused on the “re-imagining” of teaching and learning in core academic disciplines.

Over 120 educators attended ICG’s Re-Imagining High School conference at the Urban School of San Francisco on Saturday, October 24.  Most of the program featured discussion of new directions in advanced curriculum for students in grades 11 and 12. Approximately half of the conference was devoted to sessions focused on the “re-imagining” of teaching and learning in core academic disciplines. Additional sessions included “Real World as Classroom” and “How Schools Foster Innovative Teaching.”  Ray Pecheone of Stanford’s School Redesign Network teamed up with Bob Lenz, CEO of Envision Schools, to describe “The Next Generation of Assessment for High School Graduation and College Admission.”  The lone plenary session on the program was “Admissions at the University of California: Process and Outlook,” presented by Don Daves-Rougeaux and Miya Hayes of the University of California Office of the President and the University of California at Berkeley, respectively.  Don and Miya described the process by which UC’s small staff reviews thousands of courses each year. Don described his own experience, as a history teacher at Dunn School, of submitting a course to UC that was subsequently denied approval for the A-G subject requirements. He said that many denials occur because of the format of the submission rather than a problem inherent in the course. Don and Miya also stated UC’s intent to value home-grown honors courses in an equal footing with those from programs such as AP.  As expected, discussion was lively. To see a copy of the conference program or participate in follow-up discussions, go to our conference forums.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Cambridge School of Weston, Park School of Baltimore Join ICG

We are pleased to announce that The Cambridge School of Weston and The Park School of Baltimore have joined the Independent Curriculum Group as Founding Schools. 

We are pleased to announce that The Cambridge School of Weston and The Park School of Baltimore have joined the Independent Curriculum Group as Founding Schools.  Established in 1886, The Cambridge School of Weston is best known for its innovative modular academic system.  Instead of juggling six or seven classes simultaneously, CSW students study three subjects per term in 90 minute blocks, allowing for deep engagement and a student-centered learning environment.  The Park School of Baltimore’s distinguished history dates back to 1912, when educational luminaries including John Dewey and Francis W. Parker met to found a new breed of school that would emphasize critical thinking over rote learning.  Throughout its history, the Park School has been a national leader in its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Welcome CSW and Park!